UN condemns Nigeria’s anti- gay law

The United Nations human rights chief has condemned Nigerian government for passing a new bill that introduces long jail terms for gay marriage, public displays of same-sex relationships, and being a member of a gay group.

The bill includes a 14-year prison term for anyone who enters into a same sex union, and a 10-year prison term for whoever administers, witnesses, or aids’ a same sex marriage.

“Rarely have I seen a piece of legislation that in so few paragraphs directly violates so many basic, universal human rights,” said the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay.

“Rights to privacy and non-discrimination, rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, rights to freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention: this law undermines all of them.

“Even before this Act was signed into law, consensual same sex relationships were already criminalized in Nigeria – violating rights to privacy and to freedom from discrimination, both of which are protected by the Nigerian Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Nigeria has ratified,” Ms. Pillay stated.

Nigeria’s Senate approved the prohibition of Same Sex Marriage Bill in December, and President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Act into law earlier this week.